Operation Puppy Love - Bringing DJ Home

Posted By Blackfive

[See the end of the post for an important update]

Operation Puppy Love - Prologue

Meet a few heroes.  The men of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas, were on patrol in Iraq in 2007.

First up is Staff Sergeant Christopher Moore who was born 14 June 1978 and raised in Bakersfield, California.  He played high school baseball and won a scholarship as a center fielder.  After graduating high school, however, Christopher chose to serve his country and enlisted in the Army in May of 1997.  During his career SSG Moore served for three years with the 101st Airborne Division, four years with the 82nd Airborne Division, two years with the III Armored Corps and finally a year with the 1st Cavalry Division.  He deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom II and later mobilized for the hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Louisiana.  SSG Moore arrived to Alpha company in March of 2005 and has served with the "Annihilators" in a variety of positions including Bradley Fighting Vehicle section leader, dismount squad leader, company master driver and company retention NCO.  In October of 2006 SSG Moore deployed with Alpha company and the 1-5 CAV "Black Knights" to Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.  His former wife is Kindell Michelle Moore of Nolanville, TX and they have three children - Ashlyn, 9, Kailyn, 7 and Taylor 4.  SSG Moore talks about his little girls all of the time, non-stop.  Chris Moore also spent his last weekend on leave before deploying as a volunteer - painting the house of an elderly woman.

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Next is Sergeant Jean Medlin was born 26 July 1979 in Alabama.  Jean graduated from Hewitt Trussville High School.  In October of 1998, Jean enlisted with the Marine Corps and served with honor for several years as an United States Marine.  While in the Marine Corps, SGT Medlin served overseas in Kosovo as a member of the NATO peacekeeping forces.  After a brief hiatus as a civilian, SGT Medlin enlisted with the Army in January of 2006 and was assigned to A CO 1-5 CAV 1CD.  Upon joining Alpha Company SGT Medlin immediately began training with the "Annihilators" as a team leader.  In October of 2006 SGT Medlin deployed with Alpha Company and the 1-5 CAV "Black Knights" to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.  SGT Medlin loves, LOVES, his family and Alabama football.

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Third is SPC David Behrle who was born 06 March 1987 and raised in Tipton, Iowa.  He played football at Tipton High School.  After graduating from high school David joined the Army in June of 2005.  Upon completion of basic training at Ft. Benning, GA SPC Behrle was assigned to A CO 1-5 CAV 1CD.  He arrived to Alpha Company in October of 2005 and immediately began training as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle Driver with the "Annihilators".  SPC Behrle deployed with Alpha Company and the 1-5 CAV "Black Knight" battalion to Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 in October of 2006.  SPC Behrle, when not in Iraq, loves to find the biggest meal available on a menu and then consume said meal - with a coke.

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This is Specialist Joseph Gilmore who was born 8th of August 1980 in Plant City, Florida. SPC Joseph Gilmore joined the Army as a Combat Medic on the 23rd of August, 2005. Joseph attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and AIT at Fort Sam Houston, TX. In April 2006, Joseph was assigned to Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, Black Knights. Joseph served as a Line Company Medic for FSC, E co, A Co, and the Scout Platoon.  Specialist Gilmore and his wife, Evangeline, have three children - Victoria, Vanessa, and Joseph.

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Say hello to PFC Travis Haslip who was born on 21 March 1987 in Pontiac Michigan, and raised in Tennessee.  After high school Travis joined the Army in December of 2005.  Upon completion of basic training at Ft. Benning, GA PFC Haslip was assigned to A CO 1-5 CAV 1CD.  He arrived to Alpha Company in June of 2006 and immediately began training with the "Annihilators" in preparation for deployment to Iraq.  In October of 2006 PFC Haslip deployed with Alpha Company and the 1-5 CAV "Black Knights" to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.  SPC Haslip overcomes and adapts to anything.  He, Varela (below), and another soldier dug a trench between their rooms so they could hook up their X-Boxes. During Christmas 2006, it was very muddy and they built a mud "snow" man out of gravel, mud, and candy to celebrate the holiday without snow.

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PFC Alexander Varela was born 29 January 1988 and raised in California.  Alexander is an avid paintball competitor and turned his passion into commitment.  He enlisted in the Army in April of 2006 and upon completion of basic training was assigned to A CO 1-5 CAV.  PFC Varela arrived to Alpha company in August of 2006 and immediately began training with the "Annihilators" in preparation for deployment to Iraq.  In October 2006 PFC Varela deployed to Iraq with Alpha company and the 1-5 CAV "Black Knights" for Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.  PFC Varela loves photography and is always playing with the new puppies that had been born at FOB Hawk.

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To know more about the character of the men in the squad, you should know about one of their patrols in Ameriyah, Iraq.  From an official report:

...SSG Christopher Moore noticed local nationals hurrying towards his security position. He alerted the patrol leader. Lieutenant Hickey moved to his position and dismounted. An Iraqi man, Mohammed, was running towards the American patrol holding a small bloody child in his arms. A 7.62 round had fallen out of the sky and struck her right temple. The round had passed along the side of her face and buried itself in her neck. She was blue and her eyes were cloudy.

Without any hesitation the soldiers of First Platoon rushed Mohammed, his wife, and the toddler’s grandmother into the back of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. In less than two minutes the medic SPC Elliot Sibille began rendering medical aid to the child and evacuation. SGT Jason Caudle aided the BFV with immediate support and the two vehicles rushed to Riva Ridge. The Soldiers of First Platoon executed their duties flawlessly. PFC Alexander Varela the Bradley Driver and SPC Andrew Tarasar the M1114 driver merit special recognition for managing the distance to Riva Ridge in three minutes through traffic and serpentine traffic control points. In no more than five minutes the evacuation was complete.

The patrol then evacuated the little girl and her family to the CSH in the International Zone where the bullet was surgically removed. The platoon showed maturity and comprehension of the company’s inherent mission to engage the Iraqi citizens in a positive manner. The Soldiers spent the time at the CSH speaking to Mohammed and assuring him that the US would do whatever it could to help his little girl. SSG Moore personally sat with Mohammed and spoke with him not as a soldier but father to father, one of his daughters in the States is also three years old.

The platoon followed up with the family three days later. The father, Mohammed came onto the street in order to meet and thank the patrol. Mohammed had tears in his eyes and expressed his thanks to the platoon. He said that he and his family would pray for their safety.  1LT Hickey spoke to Mohammed and told him that all his soldiers were worried about his daughter and hoped that she was well.

Mohammed’s mother came into the street holding the little girl. The father introduced her as Saadeya smiled, took her into his arms, and said, “I know you are happy she is safe, but I am much happier than you.” Mohammed quickly explained that he was not questioning the happiness of the platoon, but was overjoyed to be able to enjoy a healthy daughter, thanks to the quick reactions of the Soldiers of First Platoon, Alpha Company 1-5 CAV.

Staff Sergeant Moore was positively heartened by saving the little girl.  He felt, especially since he had three daughters, that he made a difference in another family's life.

While on the base, the soldiers had trained a dog to help with protection of the base.  The dog had puppies and the combat soldiers couldn't help but take care of them, as well.  The dogs at COP Annihilator were special to Private First Class Alejandro "Alex" Varela; and, to the dogs, Alex and the soldiers of Alpha Company, were special as well.  Adopted as a force protection dog, one female would walk with the soldiers as they moved out on foot to observation posts, almost as if she were wanting to be sure that they made it safely.  This dog, and others, helped lift the spirits of Alex and other soldiers, as well as improving their security.

SGT Medlin and PFC Varela with puppy

A few weeks later, on May 19th, 2007, all six men were killed in Baghdad when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle while on patrol.

Operation Puppy Love - Bringing DJ Home

In going through his possessions, Alex Valera's mother, Rinda Pope of Orangevale, CA, was struck by the photographs of her son with the dogs.  She began efforts to get one of the dogs, but was not having any success.   Lt. Tom Hickey, Alex's platoon leader, found out about her efforts from another soldier, Specialist Matthew Alford, and began working to get her something much more tangible than a letter or medal:  one of the dogs that Alex had enjoyed so much.

1LT Tom Hickey, Platoon Leader

While it wasn't possible to send the official force protection dog, that dog, BP for Bradley Position, had recently had puppies. Now old enough to travel, DJ as she is known, needed a sponsor to escort her back on a civilian flight. The platoon's efforts led them to contact Gryphon Airlines.

To whom it may concern,
I am a platoon leader for an infantry battalion. On May 19th of this year six of my soldiers were killed during combat operations. One of those soldiers, Alex, enjoyed playing with the dogs on one of our FOBs. His mother found many photos of the animals in his personal effects. She has been trying for some time to get a contractor to bring one of the dogs back to the states. We adopted one of the dogs for force protection at our company outpost. The dog had a puppy. I would like very much to transport the dog back to the states for Alex's mother. The biggest hurdle is getting the dog out of Baghdad. Is there any help your airline can provide? I am sorry to say that my unit will be returning to the states very soon. I only recently found out about Alex's mom and her goals and want to help in any way I can.
Very respectfully,
LT Tom

The result of that contact was a partnership between Gryphon Airlines, BlackFive, Soldiers' Angels, and Prudent Publishing (parent company of The Gallery Collection) to escort DJ to the U.S.  C. Blake Powers, who posts at BlackFive as Laughing Wolf and was embedding in Iraq over Christmas, will be DJ's escort to the US.  This was made possible by the support of Prudent Publishing.  All embeds from Blackfive also serve as representatives of Soldiers' Angels, and Soldiers' Angels purchased an airline approved travel kennel and necessary supplies. The PetSmart in Lafayette, IN, also contributed some chew toys to the effort.

DJ the puppy

DJ is named for another platoon member, Travis Dowd, in a bit of teasing humor.  DJ was the only puppy to survive in her litter, and as a result ate rather well.  So well, in fact that she got very large -- too large for her feet.  His platoon mates like to kid the well-developed Dowd, so they started calling the puppy Dowd Junior, or DJ for short.  She is a typical puppy who chases her own tail, is well into the chewing phase of teething, and in good health.  The platoon has been working on housebreaking her, and on spoiling her as much as possible, even though no toe, sock, or boot is safe from DJ.

DJ is scheduled to arrive in Washington DC on January 3, 2008, where she will be handed over to Pat Jarrett upon clearing Customs and entry.  DJ will be driven to California by a dog rescue group that will give DJ to Rinda Pope.

Private First Class Alejandro "Alex" Varela (l) and Specialist Matthew Alford (r) play with two puppies while stationed in Iraq.

In Memoriam:

Staff Sgt. Christopher Moore, 28, of Alpaugh, Calif.
Sgt. Jean P. Medlin, 27, of Pelham, Ala.
Spc. David W. Behrle, 20, of Tipton, Iowa.
Spc. Joseph A. Gilmore, 26, of Webster, Fla.
Pfc. Travis F. Haslip, 20, of Ooltewah, Tenn.
Pfc. Alexander R. Varela, 19, of Fernley, Nev.

1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Godspeed, we'll never forget you.

Our BlackFiveTV version with some of the surviving squad members talking about their brothers and DJ is below:

Update 01-03-08 0700EST: Message From Blake-

DJ is here!  She arrived early this morning to Dulles, and linked up with Pat Jarrett and Yankee Mom.  She weathered the long trip quite well, and is on her way to a short respite in Virginia before traveling on to California.  Pictures and more shortly, so watch this space!

Many thanks to United and Gryphon and the USAF for their wonderful help getting her here!

Thanks to all.

Update 01-04-08:  Pat Jarrett has photos of DJ in the US.  Here's a sample:

Photos by Pat Jarrett. That's the happiest baggage handler I've ever seen.

Go check out Pat's photo blog and Flickr site.

Update 01-05-08:  Blake writes an update about DJ's arrival here (includes another photo and updated video).

Update 01-16-08:  DJ IS HOME!!!  DJ has completed his journey and is now with Alex's mom, Rinda Pope, in Sacramento, California.  We will have more on the meeting soon.

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Comments

[Subsunk]

Speechless.

I'm just not worth their spit.

God Bless each and every one of these Men and their brave families. The members of Blackfive are humbled by your sons' sacrifice, and hope DJ will provide some relief of your grief, and that this story will honor the immense contributions your sons made on our behalf. Thank you for raising such fine Men and for supporting your country so greatly through their service. You have the thanks of a grateful nation, and the respect of Men and Women everywhere who move to the sound of the guns.

Subsunk

[Mr.Sparkle]

Lump in my throat guys, first class.

[mindy1]

Wow what a story. glad it worked out well. RIP and thanks.

[Caper2]

Guys:

Superb tale. If we won this war, it would be because men like this and countless others exist and are on our side. RIP.

El Coqui

[Bullshark]

Varela was exactly 8 days younger than my oldest son.
I am so sad, and frightened, and proud. Both of these fine men and my son. My son is at FBNC awaiting deployment and I don't know that I can bear it.
Lord Bless the families of these men and ease their pain. Comfort them in their grief and help them to remember all the good time spent together.
Bullshark
307 EN ABN
1986-1991

[AFSister]

*sniff*
It's all I can muster- I'm speechless.

[douglas]

Nothing like a dog licking away your tears to help you feel loved and a little better. God bless all involved in this operation. A worthwhile effort indeed.

[The Wolf]

DJ is here in the US! Laughing Wolf reports that all is well, has handed DJ off to Pat; he got to meet up with Yankee Mom and that the trip was excellent. More to be posted soon- video and pictures with DJ.

Stay tuned!

-W

[David M]

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 01/03/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.

[Cincinnati_Bob]

Yes, Thanks to these men. Thanks to the parents, families and friends for these men. No doubt they all played a part in what these guys were and are...

A question: Does DJ have to be quarantined ? Usually, this is a 6 month deal?

[jordan]

If there are such things as "sensitive" warriors, here they are. Their loyalty and compassion to their friend's mom is touching and revealing. No one has more heart and soul than the American soldier. You make us proud.

[kathianne]

I just looked at the flicker file, oh that extra bath must have done the trick! He is the cutest puppy! I hope he makes the mom an awesome companion for many years to come! You guys are the best!

[Theresa, MSgt (ret), USAF]

Cincinnati, only Hawaii and Guam have any type of quarantine for dogs/cats. In fact, Guam has as strict quarantine rules as the UK. Which is a mockery as the island is nothing but stray dogs and cats. Never saw so many dead dogs in such a small space before in my life. And, they only have 1 animal shelter. GAIN (Guam Animals in Need), is a non-profit which depends on donations of food and money to survive. No Humane Society, nothing. Needless to say, they are fighting a losing battle. I hated everyday of the 9 months I spent there simply because of all the stray/dead dogs/cats.

I pray DJ brings years and years of endless joy to PFC Valera's family. God bless them and help them heal. I will never forget the sacrifice he and his fellow Warriors made for me and mine. May they rest in peace.

[JihadGene]

Make sure you see the Flicker file! As a slide show it's awesome! One happy chewing and licking machine, that lil DJ.
Love all the efforts all have put into making this happen!

KEEP THOSE UPDATES COMING AND GIVE TO SOLDIERS ANGELS!!!
(That's a by-God order!)JG&KJI

[Tammi]

Great news and a fabulous story. My favorite picture is the one with DJ and the boot. THAT kicked my...well, it really got to me.....

[dellbabe68]

I had not realized at first they had died, but what struck me when I was reading the words about them was their age. Each one was born around when I graduated high school, and I looked at them and saw men - even young ones - but men. God Bless them and their families.

Those pictures of DJ are priceless. Thank you for this full posting about the whole story.

[girlfriendofasoldier]

You guys here at Blackfive are real class acts. I am very proud of you and the things that you have accomplished both here on the homefront and abroad. The peace and joy and love that you will be bringing to Alex's grieving mother brings tears to my eyes.

I haven't posted in a few months here, but I always read up on what you all are doing. I'm glad that things went so smashingly well! :)

The boyfriend is still overseas and the deployment has been extended from April to June. :(

Bullshark-- You should be more proud, and less scared for your son. It takes a great man to stand up and say, "I'm going to risk my life for my country. I'm going to fight for America's freedom." He is obviously a fine young man, and the army tries its best to train them to look out for numero uno.
I have a feeling he will be fine.
Always remember that the news media (all of it)- tries to make conditions graver than they actually are. The reason for this is simple: The media is a money-making machine and in order to continue to make money- they have to continue to bring in the ratings.. If you're stuck to the tube watching the news all day, you're just helping them out.

I hope that all is well with everyone, even though I've been unable to post for a while. I heard from the boyfriend last week...for the first time since October. He's doing well. :)

Again- all of you grade A guys at Blackfive: Thanks for always being a hero. You've become heroes to Alex's mother, I'm sure.

The world needs more people to truly care about these guys.
God bless them!

[Mike]

Jeez,
What a wonderful story and fitting memorial to young men who've given all in service to their country and all those desiring freedom.
Adopted pets in Iraq are all subject to:
"Prohibited activities for service members under General Order 1-A include adopting as pets or mascots, caring for or feeding any type of domestic or wild animal".
Many of these "adoptees" have been killed by the powers that be in enforcing this General Order! I'm curious as to what has/will happen to the mother dog, still in Ieaq?
An unknown, and lightly funded group trying to help service members with bringing their "adopted pets" home is http://www.militarymascots.org/
And, for a great little book: "From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava".

[Caleb]

Being a complete dog lover, I am not totally sure who I am most happy for in this affair, the grieving Mom or the only surviving pup of the litter in Iraq. Either way, Mom will give DJ the love that all dogs crave and deserve, and DJ will give love back to Mom in full measure, all that his little heart can generate. God bless Wolf, Laughing Wolf, the rest of the Blackfive crew, and Soldiers Angels, along with any others that contributed, for making this rescue happen. I will tell my two 11 month old German Shepherds that the operation is successfully concluded. I will tell them as soon as they finish their brig time for their latest misadventure.

[RichardUSA]

Welcome Home DJ!!! Try not to tear your Moms house up too much. LOL

Looking forward to the next update.

[diamondhd]

What a wonderful story. It really shows what great people are all about. Puppies (or animals in general) could probably make this war end. Welcome to America DJ! Know that you have really made a difference in many lives. My love goes out to you and all of your families!!

[DJ's mom]

Hi all from DJ"S mom: Here is a link to an update story ran by our local newspaper in Sacramento:
http://www.sacbee.com/pets/story/822267.html

DJ has tripled her size and is sweet as she can be.